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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2013-05-11

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2013-05-11 page 1

1jj ojfflljf worth morel^ mMmm^r^^Ji wL SECT?H>^Ei3irIpoi^4<||uno!oo?n] ' f- !i? INSIDE Blacks Underrepresented In Immigration Debate Sec Page A2 Entertainment Lauryn HtH Get! 3 Months In Prison And 3 Months House Arrest Sec Pace A6 Canton Connection See Page AS National Congress Of Black Women "Fashion In Hats" See Page B1 Lottery/Crime News See Page B3 News Briefs People Against Violence/ Everywhere Rally AKRON, OH?PA^VE. (People Against Violence Everywhere) will host a rally on Saturuy, May 11, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at 1292 S. Hawkins Field. Lost someone to tragedy, come out and share your experience. Community Support Meeting AKRON, OH ? Community Support Services, Inc., will hold its monthly Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, May 16,2013 at 1 SO Cross Street, Akron. The meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Board committee meetings are held monthly. For further information, call (330)996-9141, Ext 169. National Missing Children's Day GASP (Guardians Advocating Child Safety and Protection) will sponsor the National Missing Children's Day on Saturday, May 18,2013 at die Summit Mall, Akron from 1:00 pm.-4:00 pm. Family-focused activities and informational booths. Free and open to the public. For more information please call (330) 274-1402 or visit our website at www.gaspl23.org. Please Support Our Advertisers! Uli ? 08805 83333 ? Social Security Changes Could Hurt Blacks Most By May a Rhodan NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Social Security changes proposed by Obama couki hurt African Americans more than other groups, a new report by the Canter for Global Policy Solutions fin<|s. In this flsdal year 2014 budget, president Obama proposes switching the way benefit programs such as Social Security and civil service retirement adjust for inflation to the chained consumer price index, or chained CPL Chained CPI calculates inflation differently from the consumer price index, the current yardstick. The move would save approximately $230 billion, according to the president's budget. "The chained CPI significantly reduces the purchasing power of those who rely on benefits issued by the federal government, and especially disadvantages retirees and the long-term disabled because it fails to take into account the higher costs they shoulder as a result of their in creased need for health care services and related products," the report reads. The Center for Global Policy Solutions report finds that the changes may cause particular harm to older AARP's lVfLki Waid has concerns ab^ut the elderly. African Americans; many depend on Social Security for the majority of their retirement income. Nearly half of African American beneficiaries rely on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income, compared to 35 percent of all beneficiaries. Two out of five Black retirees over 65 de pend on Social Security for their entire income. Thefireport show that 18 percent of BmfAi adults over 65 had an inconpbelow the federal poverty level; winttatSocml Sacueity benefits, 53 percent of older African Americans would be living in poverty according to the AARP. The changes to COLA will also impact the one in five Black children receiving disability benefits. Black children are twice as likely to receive survivor benefits as well. "Chained CPI is also a poor policy considering that Social Security does not contribute to our annual deficit, and die trust will run a surplus of more than $2.7 trillion until the 2030s," Rep. John Conyers (DMich.) said in a statement. "1 am disappointed then that President Obama would consider burdening those who are most in need of our support." The changes proposed by the Coatfaraed to Page A3 Attorney General DeWine, Senator Hughes Announce Violent Career Criminal Act COLUMBUS, OH ? Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Senator Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) announced new legislation aimed at reducing the number of gun crimes in the state of Ohio. They were joined by Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron O'Brien, whose office has aggressively targeted violent gun crimes. i/During my first year in office as Ohio's Attorney General, jt became "shockingly clear that too many people were losing their lives to gun violence," said Attorney General DeWine. "We dont want to take guns away from law- abiding citizens; instead we want to take the violent offenders away from the guns." The Violent Career Criminal Act would change current gun specification sentencing laws and increase some penalties for offenders with two or more violent felony convictions. "This legislation is designed to go after the worst of the worst and take offenders off the streets who prey on women, children, and societies most vulnerable," said Senator Hughes. t "Most of the violent ' crime that we see in Franklin county involves guns; said franklin County Prosecutor O'Brien. "If we target those committing gun crimes, especially the violent career criminals, I believe we can both prevent and reduce crime." Attorney General DeWine formed the Violent Crones with Guns Advisory Group in 2011 to study the prob ?HHHHHKUHH Attorney General Mike DeWine lem of gun violence in Ohio and provide guidance to law enforcement and the legislature on how to best prevent gun crimes. The group commissioned Ohio State University researcher Deanna Wilkinson, Ph.D., to conduct an indepth study of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and BCI data from 1974 to 2010. The study found that people with two or more violent felony offenses, who make up l%of population, l4?P>spousibfl?br5TOof Ohio's violent felon convictions. "It is really only a small percentage of people who are committing the ma jonty oi tnese very violent crimes, ana the Violent Career Criminals Act targets those people," said DcWine. The Violent Career Criminal Act calls for a mandatory 11-year prison sentence for those convicted of illegally possessing a gun, if they have previously been convicted of two or more violent felonies. Today, a felon convicted of illegally possessing a firearm faces only one to five years imprisonment The act would also double gun specification penalties if the offender has previously been convicted of a crime involving a firearm. Current gun specification sentences range from one to seven years in prison, depending on the underlying gun crime. The study also found that nearly 56% of a)] of Ohio'? felony Hamilton, Summit, and Franklin counties. Those counties, along with Montgomery, Stark, Lucas, Lorain, Butler, Lake, Clark, and Mahoning counties, account for 83% of violent crime. "We know that longer prison sentences alone will not completely solve the gun crime problem in this state," said DeWine. "That is why my office is also planning additional outreach initiatives, which we will announce in the next few weeks." Cleveland Man Charged With Kidnapping, Rape CLEVELAND, OH ? The Cleveland city prosecutor has charged 52year-old Ariel Castro, with four counts of kidnapping, 3 counts of rape in connection with the abduction of Amanda Berry, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, and Michelle Knight who were held captive for years in a Cleveland house. He was arrainged on Thursday, May 9th. Their captivity ended on Monday, when Amanda Berry who had been missing for a decade, attracted the attention of a neighbor,Charles Ramsey, who helped her, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus and Michelle Knight esape. A 6-year-old girl that police said is believed to be Berry's daughter was alsofeead. Authorities have filed no charges against two of Castro's brothers who were arrested Monday night, after Berry escaped. Authorities said they have no evidence that the two brothers, Pedro and Onil Castro, were involved.Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath said investigators had confirmed that the women were held with chains and ropes, and allowed only "once in a while" into the backyard. He said the women's physical wellbeing was "very good, considering the circumstances." ?????????????????????? I The three women were reported missing in Cleveland between 2002 and 2 0 0 4. Wednesday, two of the women, De J esus and Berry were united with their families. Knight is Ariel Castro still in a Cleveland hospital and was getting mental health treatment. Castro spent years as a bus driver for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, but was fired following four examples of what the school officials called a "lack of judgement." First lady Michelle Obama said that the kidnappings were "probably a parent's worst nightmare." "These families are going to have to wrap their arms around these yotmg women and make sure that they get all the help and support they need so that they will go on and lead healthy, normal lives. We're just grateful that they're safe." FHAA Asks EANDC To Accommodate Disabled Tenants And Fix Air Conditioner Unit AKRON, OH ? In response to die pleas of several elderly disabled tenants who suffer from physical disabilities that are exacerbated by high temperatures and high humidity, the Fair Housing Advocates Association (FHAA) has submitted a reasonable accommodation request to East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC), the operators of Alexander Square Apartments, an apartment building in Barberton. Specifically, the request which was submitted under fair housing laws and Section S04 regulations, asked EANDC to supply the disabled tenants with cooler temperatures in thenapartments by repairing or replacing their apartment building's malfunctioning/inoperable air conditioner unit The matter is further complicated because many of the apartments have windows which are not meant to open. At least two tenants have had suffered health problems because of the high temperatures in their apartments and have had to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Jean Alexander, a spokesman for foe residents says The temperature in many of our apartments reaches at least 90 degrees and is unbearable. Many of us have breathing and heart problems and cannot take much more of this." She says that management has been aware of the problem, but has been slow to address it "The accommodation request that my office submitted on behalf of the disabled tenants, included medical documentation from the doctors of several disabled tenants, whose disabilities are adversely impacted by high temperatures," says Vincent B. Curry, FHAA executive director "While 1 have had conversations with foe Barberton Fire Department, which believes that foe air conditioning unit is going to be repaired, 1 am waiting to hear from foe head of the EANDC property management department as ContksaedtoFageA3 LeBron Wins NBA MVP For The Fourth Time New York, NY ? In a nearunanimous vote, Miami Heat forward LeBron James was named the T^BA's Most Valuable Player for the 2012-13 season on Sunday. h is James' fourth MVP award overall, all coming in the last five seasons, thanks to garnering all but one of the 121 firstplace votes cast for a total of 1,207 points. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder finished a distant second, taking the most secondplace votes with 93 and a total of765 points. Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks -who was given the other first-place nod-finished in third, 732 points back of James. LeBroa James dbplayi his ftmr MVP trophies.The 28-year-old James became the fifth player in league history to capture at least four MVP awards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads the way with six, followed by Michael Jordan and Bill Russell with five apiece. Wilt Chamberlain also garnered four. James helped the Heat to a franchise-record 66 regular season victories by posting 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. He scored 2,036 points this season, the eighth 2.000-potnt total of his career, whik also becoming die youngest player in NBA history to post eight different 2,000- point seasons. He also shot a career-high 56.5 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from 3-pomt range this season. Search Continues For Missing Woman I 1 1 Taylor Robinson AKRON, OH?The Akron Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating an missing woman. Taylor Robinson, 19, of East Archwood Avenue in Akron, was last seen late Friday night, May 3, 2013 when she was dropped off overnight at a residence in the 700 block of Kipling Avenue for her job as a home health care aide. When the client's mother returned in the morning, Robinson was not at die residence and the client was left alone. Robinson's family had not heard from her since. Taylor Robinson is a black female, 5'03", 150 lbs., and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and gray leggings (pantf). She had her hair in a pooytail and a white and black bandana around her head. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Taylor Robinson is asked to contact the Akron Police Department, Detective Bureau at (330) 375-2490 or the Missing Perton Unit at (330)375-2530. Resolutions Oppose New Judge, Praise LeBron AKRON, OH ?Council took a stand Monday evening opposing an amendment to H.B. 59 that would mandate Summit County add a second judge to the Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division without providing funds to pay for it. Juvenile Court Judge Linda Teodosio told Council a second judge would cost taxpayers $300,000 to $400,000 a year. She said $at she and her staff have reduced a logjam of cases by 47 percent since 2007, and a second judge was unnecessary.Council also passed a resolution congratulating LeBron James on winning his fourth NBA Most Valuable Player Award and expressing appreciation of his continuing civic and charitable involvement in Akron. James recently donated $1 million to St. Vincent-St. Mary for a new gymnasium.Thornton Street Bridge To Be Closed AKRON, OH?As part of abridge rehabilitation project, the City of Akron is planning to close the Thornton Street Bridge over die CSX Railroad starting Monday, May 13th for approximately 60 calendar days. Detours will be posted. For eastbound Thornton St. traffic, die detour will utilize S. Main St, South St, Broadway St., Voris St, and Miami Street. For westbound Thornton St. traffic, the detour will utilize WolfLedges Pkwy., Voris St., and Broadway Street. The project includes new expansion joints, approach slabs, microsiiica concrete overlay, and miscellaneous painting and concrete repairs. The overall project duration is 75 calendar days. For additional information, contact the Akron Engineering Bureau at (330) 375-2355.

1jj ojfflljf worth morel^ mMmm^r^^Ji wL SECT?H>^Ei3irIpoi^4spousibfl?br5TOof Ohio's violent felon convictions. "It is really only a small percentage of people who are committing the ma jonty oi tnese very violent crimes, ana the Violent Career Criminals Act targets those people," said DcWine. The Violent Career Criminal Act calls for a mandatory 11-year prison sentence for those convicted of illegally possessing a gun, if they have previously been convicted of two or more violent felonies. Today, a felon convicted of illegally possessing a firearm faces only one to five years imprisonment The act would also double gun specification penalties if the offender has previously been convicted of a crime involving a firearm. Current gun specification sentences range from one to seven years in prison, depending on the underlying gun crime. The study also found that nearly 56% of a)] of Ohio'? felony Hamilton, Summit, and Franklin counties. Those counties, along with Montgomery, Stark, Lucas, Lorain, Butler, Lake, Clark, and Mahoning counties, account for 83% of violent crime. "We know that longer prison sentences alone will not completely solve the gun crime problem in this state," said DeWine. "That is why my office is also planning additional outreach initiatives, which we will announce in the next few weeks." Cleveland Man Charged With Kidnapping, Rape CLEVELAND, OH ? The Cleveland city prosecutor has charged 52year-old Ariel Castro, with four counts of kidnapping, 3 counts of rape in connection with the abduction of Amanda Berry, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus, and Michelle Knight who were held captive for years in a Cleveland house. He was arrainged on Thursday, May 9th. Their captivity ended on Monday, when Amanda Berry who had been missing for a decade, attracted the attention of a neighbor,Charles Ramsey, who helped her, Georgina "Gina" DeJesus and Michelle Knight esape. A 6-year-old girl that police said is believed to be Berry's daughter was alsofeead. Authorities have filed no charges against two of Castro's brothers who were arrested Monday night, after Berry escaped. Authorities said they have no evidence that the two brothers, Pedro and Onil Castro, were involved.Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath said investigators had confirmed that the women were held with chains and ropes, and allowed only "once in a while" into the backyard. He said the women's physical wellbeing was "very good, considering the circumstances." ?????????????????????? I The three women were reported missing in Cleveland between 2002 and 2 0 0 4. Wednesday, two of the women, De J esus and Berry were united with their families. Knight is Ariel Castro still in a Cleveland hospital and was getting mental health treatment. Castro spent years as a bus driver for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, but was fired following four examples of what the school officials called a "lack of judgement." First lady Michelle Obama said that the kidnappings were "probably a parent's worst nightmare." "These families are going to have to wrap their arms around these yotmg women and make sure that they get all the help and support they need so that they will go on and lead healthy, normal lives. We're just grateful that they're safe." FHAA Asks EANDC To Accommodate Disabled Tenants And Fix Air Conditioner Unit AKRON, OH ? In response to die pleas of several elderly disabled tenants who suffer from physical disabilities that are exacerbated by high temperatures and high humidity, the Fair Housing Advocates Association (FHAA) has submitted a reasonable accommodation request to East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC), the operators of Alexander Square Apartments, an apartment building in Barberton. Specifically, the request which was submitted under fair housing laws and Section S04 regulations, asked EANDC to supply the disabled tenants with cooler temperatures in thenapartments by repairing or replacing their apartment building's malfunctioning/inoperable air conditioner unit The matter is further complicated because many of the apartments have windows which are not meant to open. At least two tenants have had suffered health problems because of the high temperatures in their apartments and have had to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Jean Alexander, a spokesman for foe residents says The temperature in many of our apartments reaches at least 90 degrees and is unbearable. Many of us have breathing and heart problems and cannot take much more of this." She says that management has been aware of the problem, but has been slow to address it "The accommodation request that my office submitted on behalf of the disabled tenants, included medical documentation from the doctors of several disabled tenants, whose disabilities are adversely impacted by high temperatures," says Vincent B. Curry, FHAA executive director "While 1 have had conversations with foe Barberton Fire Department, which believes that foe air conditioning unit is going to be repaired, 1 am waiting to hear from foe head of the EANDC property management department as ContksaedtoFageA3 LeBron Wins NBA MVP For The Fourth Time New York, NY ? In a nearunanimous vote, Miami Heat forward LeBron James was named the T^BA's Most Valuable Player for the 2012-13 season on Sunday. h is James' fourth MVP award overall, all coming in the last five seasons, thanks to garnering all but one of the 121 firstplace votes cast for a total of 1,207 points. Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder finished a distant second, taking the most secondplace votes with 93 and a total of765 points. Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks -who was given the other first-place nod-finished in third, 732 points back of James. LeBroa James dbplayi his ftmr MVP trophies.The 28-year-old James became the fifth player in league history to capture at least four MVP awards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leads the way with six, followed by Michael Jordan and Bill Russell with five apiece. Wilt Chamberlain also garnered four. James helped the Heat to a franchise-record 66 regular season victories by posting 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. He scored 2,036 points this season, the eighth 2.000-potnt total of his career, whik also becoming die youngest player in NBA history to post eight different 2,000- point seasons. He also shot a career-high 56.5 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from 3-pomt range this season. Search Continues For Missing Woman I 1 1 Taylor Robinson AKRON, OH?The Akron Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating an missing woman. Taylor Robinson, 19, of East Archwood Avenue in Akron, was last seen late Friday night, May 3, 2013 when she was dropped off overnight at a residence in the 700 block of Kipling Avenue for her job as a home health care aide. When the client's mother returned in the morning, Robinson was not at die residence and the client was left alone. Robinson's family had not heard from her since. Taylor Robinson is a black female, 5'03", 150 lbs., and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and gray leggings (pantf). She had her hair in a pooytail and a white and black bandana around her head. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Taylor Robinson is asked to contact the Akron Police Department, Detective Bureau at (330) 375-2490 or the Missing Perton Unit at (330)375-2530. Resolutions Oppose New Judge, Praise LeBron AKRON, OH ?Council took a stand Monday evening opposing an amendment to H.B. 59 that would mandate Summit County add a second judge to the Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division without providing funds to pay for it. Juvenile Court Judge Linda Teodosio told Council a second judge would cost taxpayers $300,000 to $400,000 a year. She said $at she and her staff have reduced a logjam of cases by 47 percent since 2007, and a second judge was unnecessary.Council also passed a resolution congratulating LeBron James on winning his fourth NBA Most Valuable Player Award and expressing appreciation of his continuing civic and charitable involvement in Akron. James recently donated $1 million to St. Vincent-St. Mary for a new gymnasium.Thornton Street Bridge To Be Closed AKRON, OH?As part of abridge rehabilitation project, the City of Akron is planning to close the Thornton Street Bridge over die CSX Railroad starting Monday, May 13th for approximately 60 calendar days. Detours will be posted. For eastbound Thornton St. traffic, die detour will utilize S. Main St, South St, Broadway St., Voris St, and Miami Street. For westbound Thornton St. traffic, the detour will utilize WolfLedges Pkwy., Voris St., and Broadway Street. The project includes new expansion joints, approach slabs, microsiiica concrete overlay, and miscellaneous painting and concrete repairs. The overall project duration is 75 calendar days. For additional information, contact the Akron Engineering Bureau at (330) 375-2355.